Good recycling facilities? Flat chance!

PUBLISHED: 15:55 24 September 2008 | UPDATED: 10:40 12 August 2010

RESDIENTS and environmental groups have slammed a council for not providing adequate recycling facilities for people living in flats. Renae Satterley, who lives in a purpose built block of flats in Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, is fuming that she is not

RESDIENTS and environmental groups have slammed a council for not providing adequate recycling facilities for people living in flats.

Renae Satterley, who lives in a purpose built block of flats in Copers Cope Road, Beckenham, is fuming that she is not offered the same recycling facilities as her next door neighbours who live in flats converted from a Victorian house or houses on her street.

Bromley council say they can only collect glass and paper from her property because it is too difficult to provide plastic, garden waste and tin recycling collections.

Librarian Ms Satterley, 38, said: "I only moved to Beckenham recently from Walthamstow where they could do tins and plastics and they were just about to start a compost recycling scheme.

"It's ridiculous that it is only paper and glass. The council is behind the times. It seems as though it's only people in blocks of flats who have this problem but I pay the same council tax as my neighbours and they are offered this service.

"It's rubbish that there isn't enough room, there is more than enough. I am keen to my bit, I'm not a hippy or anything but I would like to see the council extend the service so that I can recycle at least tins and plastic.

"There isn't even anywhere in the area for me to take my tins to. They should have banks where people can take their stuff to. I would happily take my cans along. What annoys me the most is the two tier system.

"The council say it is the best at dry recycling but it's not enough to just recycle paper. If you only recycle a few things it is easy to say we have a 100 per cent record."

Councillor Colin Smith, responsible for environment, said: "Bromley has the best dry recycling record of any London Borough and is currently undertaking trials to improve further still on that impressive record.

"In addition, each block of flats is being systematically reviewed and assessed for its needs. Some will be able to host extra bins, some won't have enough space to do so. A 'one size fits all' doesn't work."

Mr Smith denied accusations that the council is discriminating against people who live in flats. He said: "No, it's because collecting refuse and recycling from flats is far more complicated than doing so from houses."

A spokesman from Bromley Friends of the Earth said: "It doesn't help the environment if someone has to drive all the way from Beckenham to Bromley to recycle.

"We expect councils to make an effort to assist flat dwellers although it can be more difficult because of the need to collect recycling boxes from three or four storeys.